The Best Hawaii Locations for Your Family Beach Pictures

Wondering where to take family beach pictures in Hawaii? Well, you’ve definitely chosen the right place for awesome family portraits on the beach!

When it comes to beach family photos, Hawaii’s breathtaking backdrops never disappoint. With stunning sunrises and sunsets, stunning blue waters, and towering palm trees, it’s simply one of the best locations for family beach pics with a tropical vibe.

Plus, when your family is in vacation mode and you can just have fun together, playing in the sand and water, it’s the perfect time to capture special memories for a lifetime!

Why Take Professional Family Photos in Hawaii?

Booking a beach family photoshoot with a professional photographer in Hawaii is something you won’t regret! Here’s why.

1. Reliving the memories from your trip

Since you’re probably visiting Hawaii on a family vacation, family beach pictures are a wonderful way to memorialize your trip. The memories made on adventures like this are so precious, and family photos are one of the best ways to be able to look back and relive those for years to come.

2. Family beach photos can be used in many ways

If you choose a professional Hawaii photographer with a style you love, the pictures can be used in many places—from family albums to decor for your home to Christmas cards to gifts for family.

3. Hawaii is a beautiful setting for family photos

Simply put, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more beautiful setting for family photos than the beaches of Hawaii! You’re coming all the way here, you might as well take advantage of this rare opportunity.

4. Your family beach photoshoot can be part of a fun, memorable day

Lastly, it’s easy to turn your professional family beach portraits into a day of fun for the whole family! 

Where to Take Family Beach Pictures in Hawaii

Okay, so you’ve decided to take family portraits on the beach during your trip to Hawaii—but where?

With so many gorgeous areas, it can be tough to choose! Here are some we suggest checking out.

Maui Family Photography

Maui is one of the most popular travel destinations in Hawaii, and with good reason! The beaches are pristine, the climate is incredible, and there is an abundance of other fun things to do while you’re there.

Family beach pictures on South Maui

South Maui is known for its sandy beaches and breathtaking views. 

If you’re planning to visit South Maui, we recommend taking family beach photos on Wailea. It’s not only absolutely gorgeous, but it’s a popular place for families to visit on Hawaii. In fact, we do most of our family photography in Wailea!

Family beach photography on West Maui

West Maui is another great spot for beach family photos on Maui. Here you’ll find lots of rich history, deluxe resorts, and—of course—beautiful beaches for photoshoots.

If you’re looking for Maui family photographers, check out our family beach photography portfolio! 

Beach Family Photos on Big Island

The Big Island is definitely worth a visit!

It’s the largest of the Hawaiian islands and, on top of its beaches, it’s known for its lush rainforests and impressive volcanoes. Like Maui, there are plenty of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy on the Big Island, too!

If you’re interested in working with a family photographer on Big Island, check out Love + Water Photography on Instagram!

Other Common Questions About Family Beach Pictures in Hawaii

What to Wear for Family Beach Pictures

When it comes to what to wear for your family beach photos, we recommend striking the right balance between beachy-casual and dressy, with just the right amount of coordination, while letting your personalities shine through! Think neutral or beachy colors that will match the sunrise or sunset and light, flowy fabrics.

We also recommend wearing something you’re not afraid of getting wet, because playing in the ocean during your family beach photoshoot can be a lot of fun (and make for awesome pictures!).

And don’t forget to wear reef-safe sunscreen!

Hiring Professional Hawaii Family Photographers

Working with a great professional photographer definitely makes a huge difference in the quality of your photos!

There are quite a few professional family photographers in Hawaii to choose from. We recommend doing your research and hiring a legitimate family photographer whose style you enjoy.

While they make a wonderful backdrop, taking family photos at the beach also comes with a unique set of challenges, like working around the sun, water, and sand.

That’s why we recommend working with a Hawaii photographer who has experience taking family beach portraits so you know you will receive a great product in return for your investment.

How Much to Spend on a Photoshoot in Hawaii

The price of your photoshoot in Hawaii will vary depending on the photographer, the length of the session, and the number of images provided.

For example, here at Love + Water Photography, we have different photoshoot packages to choose from with different price points. If you want more time in front of the camera and plenty of photos to choose from, you might go with the full package. If you’re looking for something more affordable, you might choose to book a family mini session.

Generally, the rule of thumb when it comes to hiring a professional photographer is that you’ll get what you pay for!

How to Pose on the Beach

While posing for family photos on the beach might sound a bit daunting at first, with the help of a great photographer, it’s easier than you’d think!

Even candid images start with a pose – we’ll put you in the spot, give some helpful tips – the rest is up to you! Just have fun together, and we take care of the rest! These photos aren’t about the perfect pose, but about capturing the special memories you’re making together as a family.

What is the Best Time to Take Family Pictures on the Beach

In our opinion, there are two best times to take family photos on the beach in Hawaii: At sunrise and at sunset.

Whether you choose to go with sunrise or sunset will depend on a few things:

Sunrise Family Beach Photos

• Both are beautiful, but family beach photos at sunrise are softer and more pastel in tone, primarily at the beginning of the session before the sun is fully up. Arriving on time to your sunrise session is super important to catch the dreamy soft tones!
• Waking up early can be tough, but there are less crowds. We recommend booking sunrise sessions early in your stay when your body clock isn’t adjusted yet to the time difference.
• You can plan a full, fun day with the family afterwards—but you might want to schedule a nap after the early rise. Check out our essential Maui itinerary for ideas!
• Watching the sunrise is such a wonderful way to start the day! There’s truly nothing like it.

Sunset Family Beach Photos

• Again, the colors are always different depending on the day, but family beach photos at sunset tend to have a warmer feel. On cloudy days, they will be cooler in tone.
• Taking photos at sunset can be a great way to finish off a day of family fun, but it’s important to make sure the kiddos aren’t too worn out to enjoy the session.
• Hawaii beaches are busy at sunset. Make sure your photographer knows a spot where the crowds won’t be too hectic, or that they know how to avoid getting other people in your photos.
• No need to wake up early and get everyone ready and out of the hotel on time!

Browse our family beach photo blogs to see some examples of both options. In the end, you can’t go wrong with either, so we recommend choosing the option that works best for your family’s energy and schedule.

Fun Activities in Hawaii

Since all of the Hawaii locations for family beach pictures listed above have perfect photo settings, your decision might end up depending more so on the other family-friendly activities in that area.

Each of the areas mentioned above has plenty of fun things for families to do, from snorkeling to water sports to eco-tours to hikes to places to eat and more!

We recommend checking out this list of ideas for sustainable travel in Hawaii, since it’s important that all travelers visiting this beautiful region embrace eco-tourism and many of the activities listed are kid friendly.

We also recommend checking out this list of sensory-friendly Maui family activities if that’s where you decide to go.

Our Biggest Family Beach Photo Tip: Have Fun!

Our biggest tip when it comes to taking family portraits on the beach is simply to have fun with it! Plan ahead so that when the moment comes, you can just enjoy your photo session with your family.
Ready to book your family beach photoshoot in Hawaii? Contact Love + Water Photography!